Family-Friendly Fall Events & Activities in Sarasota

Planning a fa-boo-lous family weekend in Sarasota County for a howling Halloween holiday? There’s no shortage of community trick-or-treating events for the kids, eerie-sistible haunted trails, pumpkin patches and carnivals, family-friendly parades in costume and spellbinding celebrations—everything to keep you and the kiddos stocked up on candy and having a wicked good time.

Fall & Halloween Festivals for the Family

Pumpkin Patch and Fall Carnival, University Town Center

Oct. 7-26, head to the shopping and dining district of University Town Center to stock up on all your porch gourds! The annual Pumpkin Patch returns to The Green (located in The West District at UTC), inviting families to come pick out their perfect pumpkin, with all proceeds benefitting Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center. 

Also in the lineup is the Sarasota Fall Carnival, Oct. 31 – Nov. 2 at The Mall at UTC. Enjoy a festive weekend of classic carnival rides and games, tasty fair food like funnel cakes and fried Oreos, community performances and free trunk-or-treating. 140 University Town Center Dr., Sarasota, FL

Fruitville Grove Annual Pumpkin Festival, Fruitville Grove

Every weekend in October, Fruitville Grove Farm transforms into a pumpkin palace and haunted house. Packed full of spook-tacular entertainment and activities, the annual Pumpkin Festival features a children’s costume contest every Saturday at 2 p.m., a craft show, kids’ fun zone, pony rides and hayrides, live music and daily performances by the Torres Family Circus and Extreme Riders. New this year is the Hollowgraves Haunted Manor, a walk-through haunted house with live scare actors. 7410 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, FL

Hunsader Farms Annual Pumpkin Festival, Hunsader Farms

Sarasota’s favorite fall tradition is back! Head to Hunsader Farms Oct. 11-12, 18-19 and 25-26 for the 34th Annual Pumpkin Festival. Peruse a local craft show, listen to live music, participate in pumpkin games, and savor homemade ice cream, roasted sweet corn, pumpkin pie and more. Little ones will love the face painting, children’s train ride and petting zoo, and adults can get in on the action in the corn maze or on a big train ride. 5500 CR 675, Bradenton, FL

Boo! at The Bay, The Bay Park

On Saturday, Oct. 18, from 6 to 8:45 p.m., The Bay Park celebrates Boo! at The Bay on its waterfront lawn right outside downtown Sarasota. Come early—and in costume—to receive a pumpkin, then explore the decorated trick-or-treat trail. Grab dinner from local food trucks like the Big Blue Grilled Cheese Company and Charrua, and settle in for a showing of “A Minecraft Movie,” sure to thrill and delight every member of the family. 1055 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota, FL

Boofest on Main Street, Lakewood Ranch

There’s no chance for boredom at Boofest on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch. On Friday, Oct. 24, from 6 to 9 p.m., kids of all ages will enjoy face painting, balloon twisting and fun inflatables, trick or treating throughout boo-tifully decorated streets, live music, an interactive science show by the Mad Scientist and a captivating magic show. Arrive early to grab a free trick-or-treat pumpkin tote! 8100 Lakewood Ranch Main St., Sarasota, FL

Spooktacular, Selby Gardens

If you're staying close to Downtown Sarasota, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ Spooktacular is an easy and family-fun daytime event to get to on Sunday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. – 1.p.m. This local favorite is back for Halloween happenings such as trick or treating, arts and crafts, and fun educational activities. There will also be some frightening (but not too scary) options for the older kiddos. Costumes are highly encouraged, as are trick-or-treat bags to collect goodies. 1534 Mound St., Sarasota, FL

Downtown Halloween Strut, Downtown Venice

On Halloween, Downtown Venice will host its annual Halloween Strut, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Partake in a trunk or treat while grooving to a kid-friendly DJ, shopping the merchants of downtown and showing off the costume you've created, dug up or purchased. From little ones to seniors, all are invited to show off their holiday 'fits and mingle with the locals. 20 W. Venice Ave., Venice, FL

Pumpkin Patches in Sarasota

In addition to the pumpkin patches at the fall festivals above, explore these unexpectedly autumnal pumpkin traditions in Sarasota County!

Pumpkin SPLASH!, Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex

You've probably been to a pumpkin patch, but have you ever been to a pumpkin splash? On Oct. 18, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., kids can jump in for a swim in the pool and pick out a floating pumpkin at the Pumpkin SPLASH! Floating Pumpkin Patch at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex. With various pumpkin decoration stations, they'll be able to paint, sticker and carve their chosen pumpkins for $10 per participant. 2650 Waldemere St., Sarasota, FL

Pumpkin Patch Express, Florida Railroad Museum

Two weekends per year, visitors of all ages can climb aboard the Pumpkin Patch Express at the Florida Railroad Museum. On Oct. 18-19 and 25-26, take a relaxing train ride to a pumpkin patch, where children can pick a pumpkin, hop on a hayride, get creative with arts and crafts, and more. 12210 83rd St. E., Parrish, FL

Where to Trick or Treat in Sarasota

Frightfully Fun Trick-or-Treat, The Mall at University Town Center

Calling all witches and warlocks, goblins and ghouls! Dress in your Halloween best and follow the trick-or-treat trail at The Mall at University Town Center on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., for delicious treats and frightfully fun tricks. Take pictures with your favorite Halloween characters, do your best zombie impression during a spook-tacular dance party and jump for joy (or fear) in bounce houses. 140 University Town Center Dr., Sarasota, FL

Trick or Treat on the Lake, Nathan Benderson Park

Get into the spirit by enjoying Halloween favorites for the entire family at Nathan Benderson Park's world-class Regatta Island on Oct. 28, from 5:30-8 p.m. Come dressed in your spooky best for the annual Trick or Treat on the Lake along a candy trail of more than 50 themed booths decorated by community organizations. Older kids can walk through a haunted trail and bounce houses, while the younger ones embark on a pumpkin scavenger hunt and watch a Halloween movie on the Jumbotron. 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota, FL

Haunted Trails at Arlington Park

Grab your candy buckets for free trick or treating at Arlington Park, 5-6:30 p.m. on Oct. 24. The half-mile walking trail transforms into a haunted carnival featuring games and spooky surprises, plus lots of candy. 2650 Waldemere St., Sarasota, FL

Halloween at The Ringling

Visit The Ringling Museum of Art for trick or treating in the courtyard, haunting paintings, Halloween short animations and frighteningly fun decor throughout the museum from 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Halloween. Grab snacks and drinks from local food trucks, and make your own colorful creations in the MOA circle. The best part? Halloween at The Ringling is free with a non-perishable food item for All Faiths Food Bank. 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota, FL

Fright Night on St. Armands Circle

The 17th annual Fright Night on St. Armands Circle transforms this beloved island paradise into a glowing, haunted extravaganza on Halloween night, 6-8:30 p.m. Expect decorated storefronts, wandering characters, trick or treating and games throughout the shopping plaza. 300 Madison Dr., Sarasota, FL